“It’s going to be a challenge. Our prayers are with them. Unfortunately, it is not impossible but likely improbable,” says Craig DeLuz with the Firearms Policy Coalition. “Organizers of this effort basically have about six weeks in order to gather about a half a million signatures per referenda. So we’re talking about a grand total of about 3.5 million signatures.”

In other words, there’s a reason why it costs millions of dollars to gather California voter signatures to place a measure on the ballot – and grassroots efforts can’t do it without help.

If any group could shatter this precedent, DeLuz points out, it’s advocates of the Second Amendment. But so far, there’s no evidence influential gun rights groups like the National Rifle Association are getting involved or donating money. Instead, some groups say, they're referring inquires to the grassroots group's website.

Capitol Bureau Chief Ben Adler first became a public radio listener in the car on his way to preschool – though not necessarily by choice. Now, he leads Capital Public Radio’s state Capitol coverage, which airs on NPR stations across California. Read Full Bio